Leaving Changxin Palace, Huayang Wangfei took Yuwen Xin’s arm and whispered: “What were you talking about with her? You were practically leaning in together.”
Yuwen Xin smiled wryly: “How could that be? We were separated by a chair. How could we be leaning in? Do you think we’re deer with long necks?”
Huayang Wangfei laughed: “I was just worried that you might be tempted by her youthful beauty while I’m here, round and heavy with child.”
Yuwen Xin sighed and shook his head: “Who would dare touch her? As long as she stays here without a definite future, Sixth Brother won’t decide her fate, and she remains a potential concubine for the Regent. I was just discussing something with her. She helped Sixth Brother a lot this time.”
Huayang Wangfei’s eyes widened: “What did she do to help Sixth Brother?”
Yuwen Xin looked around, then whispered: “You heard about the edict, right? The wall was blank, but with sunlight, it gradually appeared and then disappeared. It was thanks to a special pigment she provided, supposedly very rare and invaluable. I had never heard of it before.”
Huayang Wangfei was amazed: “She’s that capable? And Sixth Brother trusts her so much? Discussing such secrets with her and taking her advice?” Feeling concerned for Mingzhu, she added, “Such a formidable and beautiful rival is a nightmare.”
Yu Wenxin said, “No, it was the emperor who, after learning about the Imperial Observatory and the prophecy, felt troubled and sought her out for tea and conversation. They chatted about all sorts of topics, including those involving the supernatural. Ji Hui then mentioned to the emperor that she knew of a type of pigment that was colorless and odorless, invisible in dark and damp conditions, but once exposed to light and heat, it would glow brightly like cinnabar before quickly disappearing without a trace, making those who saw it think they were dreaming. This pigment had once been used to harm others under the guise of divine intervention. The emperor became intrigued and insisted on finding this pigment. She said she had some and offered it. Mr. Meng and the others then devised this method, which turned out to be very effective.”
So, it wasn’t that Ji Hui had been scheming to get close to Yuwen Chu, nor was it that Yuwen Chu truly trusted or valued Ji Hui. The young emperor was also involved. Upon hearing this, Huayang Wangfei felt somewhat relieved. After thinking for a while, she became uncomfortable again and tugged at Yuwen Xin’s ear, saying, “Whose side are you on?”
Ever since she had narrowly escaped death, Yuwen Xin had been particularly indulgent towards her. Even as she pinched his ear, he didn’t get angry and smiled, saying, “I don’t understand what you mean, Wangfei.”
Huayang Wangfei pointed her slender finger at his forehead and whispered, “You don’t understand? Stop pretending. I think Ji Hui has her eyes on Sixth Brother. If that day ever comes, will you side with her or with Sixth Sister-in-law?”
Yuwen Xin replied seriously: “I’ll side with whoever you tell me to.”
Huayang Wangfei scoffed: “If I believed everything a man says, pigs would climb trees! I know you went back to Lady Yang’s bed a few days ago! Now, tell me honestly, who do you support?”
Yuwen Xin blushed: “Lady Yang is my concubine, and she hasn’t done anything wrong. I…”
Huayang Wangfei interrupted: “You mean you’re used to sleeping with her, so you can’t stop? I don’t mind as long as she doesn’t have a child. Otherwise, you’ll see!”
Yuwen Xin, slightly irritated, said: “I know the difference between legitimate and illegitimate!”
Huayang Wangfei returned to the topic: “Forget that. What about Sixth Sister-in-law?”
Yuwen Xin replied earnestly: “I naturally support Sixth Sister-in-law. She might not be as smart as Ji Hui, but she’s our sister-in-law, willing to endure hardships for us, treat us and our children kindly, and care for Sixth Brother and everyone else.”
“Exactly, Sixth Brother is smart enough. Why need another smart woman? A capable advisor is enough.” Huayang Wangfei threatened Yuwen Xin: “Sixth Sister-in-law saved our Niu Niu’s life. If you help anyone against her, watch out!”
Yuwen Xin patted her hand: “Don’t worry. I’m not ungrateful. Even if Sixth Brother has other ideas, I’ll advise him against it.”
“That’s more like it.” Huayang Wangfei, satisfied, felt she must warn Mingzhu about Ji Hui—a smart, tactful woman who always knows what to offer and is highly likeable. She is a formidable opponent.
At noon, a carrier pigeon arrived at Yuwen Chu’s manor in the Great Temple. Ye Xiu caught it and, after reading the note, hurriedly asked the steward: “Where are His Highness and the Wangfei?”
The steward calculated and smiled: “At this hour, they should be at the northern slope overseeing the sweet potato planting. We’re about to send lunch there. Would you like to join us?”
Ye Xiu nodded and followed the villager delivering the food out of the estate. In the distance, a person covered in mud was riding a horse and approaching in a disheveled manner. Although the clothes on this person were so dirty that their original color was indistinguishable, Ye Xiu, with his exceptionally keen eyesight, recognized the attire of a palace eunuch. After a brief moment of thought, he identified the person’s identity but pretended not to notice. Instead, he spurred his horse and sped past the individual. After riding a bit further, he stopped and sat on a stone by the roadside, waiting for the villagers to catch up so they could head to the northern slope together.
With the rain, the villagers seemed to come alive, all gathering around to watch the orphans and widows from the charity house plant sweet potatoes. Occasionally, they would kindly offer advice on how to plant properly and what not to do. Steward Jia Bo called out loudly as he moved back and forth: “You can’t rely on the charity house to support you forever. Don’t look down on farming. If you learn to farm, you won’t starve even if you end up in the deep mountains and have to cultivate some land.”
Mingzhu and Yuwen Chu sat in a makeshift straw hut watching the commotion. The village children wove grasshoppers and crickets from fresh grass stalks to give to Zhuangzhuang and Millet to play with. Some unruly children even tried to snatch snacks from Zhuangzhuang and Millet. The wet nurses wanted to intervene, but Mingzhu, smiling, had them step back: “Don’t interfere with the children.” She also encouraged the children: “Don’t shout or cry. If you want something, go get it yourself.”
The result was predictable. There weren’t many snacks, and the larger, unruly village children ended up winning against poor Zhuangzhuang and Millet. Millet sat on the straw mat, stunned, watching as the last piece of snack was stuffed into someone else’s mouth. Suddenly, she let out a sharp cry, slapping the mat and wailing.
